Teaching Pastor

TEACHING PASTOR

The Bluff Church | Poplar Bluff, Missouri

ABOUT THE BLUFF CHURCH

The Bluff Church is entering an exciting new season, and we are looking for the right person to help lead into it with us.

Founded in 2010 as a church for people who had given up on church, that heart for our community still defines us. We long to love God and love people and to share the good news of Jesus in Poplar Bluff and beyond.

After ten years as a mobile church, we purchased an old warehouse in 2019 and began the process of transforming it into our permanent home. On Easter Sunday 2026, we dedicated our new 350-seat worship center. While there is still more work to be done, we are excited about what God has done and what He continues to do through The Bluff Church.

For the first 16 years of our existence, The Bluff has been led by an elder-led, co-pastor structure. We are now moving to a Lead Pastor and Associate Pastor structure as we prepare for the next chapter of ministry.

We are seeking a Teaching Pastor (Associate Pastor) who loves Jesus, loves people, and has a genuine passion for teaching God's Word. We are looking for someone who is spiritually mature, relational, collaborative, and excited to work as part of a unified staff team.

This role offers meaningful ministry responsibility now, with the potential for future leadership as our Executive Pastor anticipates stepping back from his role in the coming years. While the future structure and responsibilities will be determined as that transition approaches, we believe this position could provide an exciting opportunity for someone who desires to grow with our church and potentially serve in a Lead Pastor role.

More than anything, we are looking for a teammate who senses God's call to help us reach Poplar Bluff for Jesus and guide The Bluff Church into its next chapter.

WHY THE BLUFF?

A Simple Mission

Love God. Love People.

A Heart for Our Community

We believe the church is called to be actively involved in the community. We are continually looking for ways to serve Poplar Bluff and share the good news of Jesus whenever and wherever we can.

An Exciting New Season

After years of ministry as a mobile church, we now have a permanent home and an exciting opportunity to build on what God has already begun.

A Team-Oriented Culture

We believe ministry is best done together. We are looking for someone who values unity, collaboration, humility, and working together toward a shared vision.

An Opportunity to Make a Difference

This is more than a position. It is an opportunity to invest in the lives of people, serve a community, teach God's Word, and help shape the future of The Bluff Church.

Potential for Long-Term Leadership

As our Executive Pastor prepares for a future transition, this position may provide an opportunity for expanded leadership and potentially transition into the Lead Pastor role.

We believe God has something significant ahead for The Bluff Church, and we are looking for the right person to join us for the journey.

TEACHING PASTOR  RESPONSIBILITY DESCRIPTION

Principal  Functions 

Through his teaching ministry and leadership, the Teaching Pastor will strengthen The Bluff Church by “equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness” (Eph. 4:12-13).  

He works collaboratively with the Lead Pastor, implementing church ministries to accomplish a shared vision for the growth and maturing of the church body and reaching the community of Poplar Bluff for Jesus.

He maintains spiritual sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit through prayer and Bible study, enabling him to help shepherd the church with confidence, love, and compassion.

Personal Characteristics 

• Models a godly lifestyle through personal Bible study, worship, and prayer, demonstrating a commitment to continued growth in Christ
• Regularly shares his faith and demonstrates a passion for reaching others with the Gospel
• Demonstrates a Christ-like example in all areas of life, including family leadership 
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills and a love for people 
• Demonstrates self-control and maintains a lifestyle consistent with biblical standards of personal integrity  
• Demonstrates personal conduct consistent with biblical principles and the values of The Bluff Church

Qualifications 

• Demonstrates a mature and growing relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a spiritually healthy lifestyle and a commitment to personal discipleship
• Exhibits a strong commitment to Scripture and possesses a deep knowledge of the Bible 
• Communicates effectively as a gifted speaker and teacher of Scripture 
• Meets scriptural requirements particularly as defined in 1 Tim 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively on a church staff team under the direct supervision of the Lead Pastor and under the authority of the Elder team
• Has a character of humility and teachability as well as being a leader
• Demonstrates the ability to help lead the church in pursuit of our vision statement to be a church for people who have given up on church
• Affirms and agrees with the theological beliefs, core values, and ministry philosophy of The Bluff Church.
• Demonstrates a proven history of effective and healthy church leadership 
• Successfully passes a criminal background check 

Responsibilities 

• Oversees the preaching and teaching ministry of the church 
• Preaches the majority of the time throughout the year (90%)
• Serves as a member of the Elder Team 
• Delivers messages that are a blend of expository preaching and topical messages
• Provides leadership to small group ministry of the church through leadership, training, and recruitment
• Provides oversight to the student ministry (junior high and high school) of the church 
• Work with Lead Pastor and provides leadership to church ministry teams 
• Leads the church in developing and implementing an effective culture of evangelism and outreach 
• Functions as a member of the worship planning team
• Actively engages in pastoral care and personally invests in church members 
• Maintains regular in-person office hours 
• Meets with members and shares biblical-based coaching as requested
• Participates in church-sponsored community service 
• Maintains open, candid two-way communications with elders and the Lead Pastor 
• Actively participates in regular planning meetings with other church staff members
• Pastoral duties as assigned